New Report! Level Up – Gaming and Violent Extremism in Africa

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The world of gaming is likely one of the most dynamic and quickly evolving digital landscapes of our time. Billions of gamers join every day, from all corners of the globe, on platforms that transcend conventional nationwide and regional borders, and push the boundaries of how we perceive and expertise human interplay. No longer only a type of leisure, gaming now sits on the coronary heart of digital tradition and participatory media.
 

In this vein, we should equally shift our notion of gaming, from a distinct segment exercise for younger folks to a robust social ecosystem – one which fosters connection, shapes identities, and may, at occasions, create vulnerabilities that could be exploited. As the affect of gaming continues to develop, so too should our efforts to grasp the dynamics of this neighborhood, harness its optimistic potential, and mitigate the dangers related to its misuse.

The report Level Up – Gaming and Violent Extremism in Africa, made attainable via the monetary assist from Italy, is the product of a partnership between the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) on the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), aimed toward deepening understanding of gaming-related on-line harms, notably within the context of violent extremism conducive to terrorism. It builds upon the foundations laid by UNOCT in its seminal 2022 research, Examining the Intersection between Gaming and Violent Extremism, which discovered that whereas gaming itself doesn’t trigger radicalization, violent extremist actors are more and more looking for to use gaming-adjacent areas, akin to chat capabilities, livestreams, and user-generated content material, to unfold propaganda and amplify their affect. Expanding on these findings, this report affords a centered, context-sensitive evaluation of traits, dangers, and alternatives in Africa, the world’s fastest-growing gaming neighborhood on the earth. Through this lens, the report seeks to tell coverage, assist practitioner engagement, and catalyze cross-sector collaboration to make sure that gaming stays a power for good, and never a vector for hurt.

The current research on Africa can be complemented by a further report by UNICRI and UNOCT, specializing in Southeast Asia – residence to one of many largest and most energetic gaming communities on the earth. This second research, produced with the monetary assist of the Government of Australia’s Department of Home Affairs, can be launched in early 2026. Together, these regional research mirror our dedication to raised perceive the complicated relationship between gaming and violent extremism and to discover the distinctive cultural and linguistic dynamics of various areas and their native players, builders, and gaming communities.

Gaming is right here to remain, together with the colourful communities, cultures, and connections it allows. The activity forward of us is to grasp how we are able to greatest shield and harness these distinctive and vital areas held treasured by so many, not just for security, but additionally for optimistic social connection.
We belief that this report will function a significant step in the direction of safeguarding gaming areas and har-nessing their potential for peace, safety, and growth.

        Alexandre Zouev,  Acting Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism, UNOCT  l   Leif Villadsen, Acting Director, UNICRI